Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-08-19
THE MAJORS EXPLOSION.

IHE MAJURS EAPLUNlUN.
The mysterious disappearance of Maj.
Potter caused considerable talk at the
time in army circles, but the facts have
never been made public.
Maj. Potter was stationed at small
post on the coast of Oregon and the alb
sence of Geographic and mail facilities is
| perhaps one reason why the unfortunate
mans fate has remained unknown to all
except few of his brother officers.
The majors special hobby was eXplo-
sives. He was all the time experimenting
with dynamite and other destructive COM
| pounds, and it was his firm belief that he
was on the track of q discovery which
| was destined to revolutionize modern war
| fare
| AS there was no little danger connected
| with the majors experiments, the colonel
| in command of the post persuaded him to
| occupy cabin at some distance from the
| quarters of the other officers Thus Sc
| cluded the veteran mixed his deadly
| chemicals, and tested his inventions at all
hours Of the day and night. His friends
had their doubts, but when the inventor
| turned up one morning with his mustache
| and eyebrows singed off, and on another
occasion appeared at breakfast with only
one ear, it was admitted even by the
| doubters that he was making progress.
''There is no telling what he will do
next said the colonel one morning.
when the roof of the majors cabin was
blown skyward with a laundering report
Everybody agreed with the colonel, and
after that the major was quietly watched
by the entire command
Colonel I've got it," shouted the
major one afternoon, as his superior
officer passed his door.
''Glad to hear it, briefly replied the
commanding officer, as he started off in
another direction.
eff you will come in''- began the
major
'"Thank you,'' was the prompt answer,
Shut I've promised to meet Capt. Jones,
and haven't a moment to lose.''
The major rushed into his den and
darted out again.
eHere it is, he said, exhibiting little
round pellet in the palm of his hand.
"Why, that-that looks like pill,' re-
marked the colonel, edging off a little
"No matter what it looks like" re-
sponded the major; IT know what it is
and what it will do. You wouldn't think,
INV, WOulo yOu, UllttU d l1UUl0 UlluS ike
this, at the slightest tap or jar, would
blow up the entire Campo
"Confound you,'' roared the colonel
'sNo, mean I beg your pardon, but
can't stop another second. I must CO."
At safe distance the colonel paused.
81 say, major!' he yelled, ''for the
Lords sake put up that blasted thing and
don't bother with it tonight
ooh. that's all right answered the
other briskly. II am going to test it in
the daytime away from headquarters.
CHATS a good fellow" laughed the
colonel. ''Why not go few miles up the
river? You need a wide field for such ex-
periments. Take all the time you want
and find a suitable place"
cts all right" growled the major. IT
am not going to do anything rash. Don't
be uneasy"
The next morning at an early hour the
colonel was notified that Maj Potter de-
sired to see him at once.
''He is sitting dewn in front of his
cabin" the man said, ''and he appears to
be sick"
When the colonel, accompanied by sew
eral officers, reached the spot they imme-
diately jumped to the conclusion that
their comrade was very sick man.
The majors face, usually ruddy and
cheerful, was of deathly pallor and woe
begone in the extreme.
''What is the matter, my dear fellow"
asked the colonel kindly and with some
anxiety in his voice.
'Iord help me, but I'm in fixp' was
the gloomy answer.
'FBut what is it, major; are you ill?'
'I'm a dead man as sure as live,"
groaned the major dclefully. "You know
that thing you called pill?'
eyes, yes" said the colonel hastily
"Never mind about that. Tell me your
symptoms"
''The fact is" explained the sufferer,
"Ive swallowed itr'
care you crazy? How did it happen?'
questioned the visitors.
'Well, you know didn't do it inten-
tionally," said the major. 81 was not
feeling well in the night, and 1 got up in
the dark and felt about on the table for
my box Of pills. 1 found the box and it
had only one pill in it. This swallowed
and then L went back to bed. After
awhile it occurred to me that the box
ought to have been half full of pills. 1
struck q light and found that I had been
fooling with the wrong box. The pill I
swallowed was the explosive pellet
showed you yesterday, colonel"
"But great Goddlemighty, mann' ejac-
ulated the colonel, "what will be the re-
suit? What are you going to do about it?''
sI give it up,n replied the major,
mournfully. II have been sitting here
ever since 1 found out what I had done.
You see, have to move with great care.
A jar, you know, might explode the
thing Then, don't know what to do
about eating. I'll have to take liquid
food, suppose If [ swallow any hard
substance, and it comes in contact with
the pellet, the jig will be up'
"Keep still a few hours, and you will be
all right" suggested the post surgeon.
81 don't know" and the major shook
his head sadly. 'The stuff is a mixture
that no mortal man ever made before, and
it is impossible to tell how it will affect
me. I fear that l shall''-
"What?'' asked young lieutenant
breathlessly.
''Bust!' gasped the victim. "Bust is
the only word that expresses it. If I
don't go up in the air I'm liable to tear a
hole in the ground at any moment. You
see. know the force stored away in that
thing All the powder packed away in
our magazine is not equal to it." !
A whispered conversation ensued among
the officers.
''Have you taken any medicine9' ' H.
quired the post surgeon.
'sNothing except brandy and water, and i
I think I'll go in and take another dose.'' !
After advising the major to remain
quiet, and promising to return in short )
time, his friends left him.. 1t was